Dean Brennan seemed frustrated by Barnet’s performance after the 3-1 win over Gateshead put them within touching distance of the National League title.
The Bees marched further towards promotion to the Football League as an early goal from Myles Kenlock paired with Callum Stead’s brace secured a ninth consecutive win and maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the table.
“A sign of a good side is not playing particularly well and winning matches. I thought we were wasteful at the top end of the pitch,” Brennan told the club website.
“They’re a team you can create a lot of chances against because they’re so open defensively because they’re so attack-minded.
“Was I happy with our performance? I’d say six out of the 11 players who started performed to their level. There were four or five who were not at the level. The subs made us worse, so I’ve got to take responsibility for that.”
The boss took issue throughout the match with some individual performances, seeming to call out several players from the touchline to warrant a response.
“We won, that’s the main thing. It was just sloppy play," he added.
"The mindset, not taking on board tactical instructions. They (Gateshead) have got so many gaps, and they don’t play defensive football. It’s really not in their DNA whatsoever. I was hoping we’d turn them over, penetrate and go through them better.
“We were making the wrong decisions. A lot of bad decision-making day, but we’ve scored three goals, and I’m moaning. Maybe I’m the miserable one today!”
And Brennan was keen to move on from the result and quickly switch his focus to Braintree as the Bees travel to Essex to face Steve Pitt’s side on Saturday.
He said: “The main thing is at we won today and we got the points. Enjoy it, and move on to the next game. It’s Braintree next week. Anyone we play against, we feel we can beat.
“I watched them (Braintree) against Gateshead, funnily enough. I thought they were devastating with their pace. Absolutely devastating in wide areas. They’ve done an amazing job at Braintree, haven’t they? They only need a couple of points to stay up.
“To do it the way they’ve done it with a skeleton squad has been amazing, to be fair. They’ve done fantastic this season, so it’ll be a tough game.
"It’s never easy to go to Braintree. I remember playing there and going there as a manager. We’ll respect the opposition, and we’ll get after them like we normally do.”
Barnet travel to Braintree this weekend before hosting Wealdstone in a London derby on Saturday, April 12.
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